Day at the Mekong Delta:
Although we started off with some rain, our trip to the Mekong Delta exceeded my expectations. During a rainy boat ride, we learned about the different aspects of generated economy in this region, one of them being honey and honey products. After getting off the boat, we got to try some honey products. She first made a drink with fresh honey, calamansi, sesame seeds, and hot water. It reminded me of mixing lemon and honey with warm water for a sore throat, but I liked how the calamansi mixed much better. The honey was also fresh, and looked silky as she was pouring it in the glasses, which added to the flavor and quality of the drink.
We were also served dried banana coated with honey, which tasted like a sweeter plantain chip. There was also a small sample of a honey jelly and fresh honey, which was a bit too sweet for my taste. I would have liked to taste the honey with their coffee; the strong flavor would be balanced so well with how sweet the honey is.
The coolest part about the honey segment was getting to hold a honeycomb full of bees. I’ve always found it so fascinating how beekeepers manage bees, so getting to see so many of them up close was such an interesting experience.
While I was busy with my bees (call me a busy bee), everyone was suddenly crowded over to another area of the room, which I soon realized was because there was this huge snake we were allowed to hold.
From there we moved to learn about the different productions of coconuts. While I am certainly not a farmer, coconuts seem to be one of the most versatile and valuable products in tropical regions. They showed us how they shucked the husk, then extracted the water and used the other parts of the coconut to get oil and other derivatives.
After purchasing a bag, we ate from a selection of dragonfruit, pineapple, pomelo, watermelon, mango, and guava. The best part of this experience was a performance by four Vietnamese singers and two guitarists, who sang traditional Vietnamese songs as we ate. I love listening to music from different cultures and time periods because it makes me wonder how music has evolved into what it is today (though, getting into that would make me very off topic).
The next part of this trip was probably my least favorite part of the day. To get to the river boat ride, we had to ride a horse and buggy, purely because I get very sympathetic with animals. Once we got to the smaller boats—and my mind was off the horses and other animals I had seen—I was quickly impressed with this journey again.
I hope I don’t sound cheesy, but riding these boats made me feel connected to the water. Feeling its movement beneath me made me so aware of the life within it. As we made our way through the path, the sun started shining through the plants surrounding us, and I was calmed by the sounds of the paddles wading through the river.
Moving on to lunch, our meal was diverse with fish, chicken, shrimp, rice, squid, and many other dishes. Our guide from UEF told us that the Vietnamese kings used to have 100 courses, but we were having eight. I guess they were skimping out on us…kidding. The meal was filling and when they pulled out the hot pot afterwards, I couldn’t even try it because of how stuffed I was.
Ending the day, our group was invited to enter these bubbles on water. It was certainly thrilling to watch, but I did not participate because I probably would have thrown up from how much spinning there was. Instead, I designated myself as the group photographer and took pictures and videos for everyone.
Socioeconomic Impact of the Rainy Season:
Admittedly, when it started raining today, my hopes were dwindling quickly. The thought of being adventurous as we toured the Mekong Delta while it was raining seemed tiring. Upon arriving and exploring the region, I realized how resourceful the people of this region are. From honey to coconuts to fish, the people of this region rely on agriculture, water life, and tourism to support their regional economy. With these sources, they are affected by seasonal changes. Agriculturally, the rain enriches the soil, but has flooding risks and costs. However, the rainy season mainly affects tourism.
Even with my own attitude towards the experience, I understand how the rain affects the tourism industry. Depending on how heavy the storms are, boating to the different islands and other activities impact how visitors can interact with markets and experiences. Tour guides, boat operators, and vendors of these services may see a drop in income as fewer tourists are willing (or able) to explore the area. That said, it makes me aware of how much local families depend on that income, making the impact from unpredictable weather patterns more aggressive on their livelihoods.
Even with this, meeting and interacting with the people in this region shows how they adapt and overcome these challenges. Even in the rain, vendors and other workers were welcoming, serving as a reminder that for these people, the rainy season doesn’t mean the “off-season.” The rainy season may bring challenges, but it also reveals the resilience and determination of the communities that call the Mekong Delta home.
